A service of the Okavango Research Institute (ORI) Library to stakeholders in the management of Botswana's Okavango Delta region.
ORI is a research centre of the University of Botswana.

Thursday, January 26, 2017

Okavango Research Institute researcher predicts more rain this year

One of our researcher, Mr Oliver Moses has
predicted a lot of rainfall in Botswana due to La Nino, which has
affected the Equatorial Pacific region. Mr Moses was presenting his research findings dubbed "TheCurrent Rains & Ocean - Atmosphere Interactions", during a stakeholder meeting in Maun. He said normal to above normal rain fall was expected between
January and March this year.

The main aim of the research was to update stakeholders on the current rains
and to explain their connection with ocean-atmosphere interactions in
relation to Botswana’s climate and also sensitize them about how the warming and cooling of
the Equatorial Pacific Ocean influenced Botswana’s climate.

Mr Moses revealed that generally, La Nina was associated with wet
conditions, while its counterpart, El Nino was associated with dry
conditions in Botswana. He said sometimes trade winds intensified
causing an upsurge that is stronger than usual, resulting in
temperatures that are colder than normal.

He explained that what happens in the oceans affects the weather in
Botswana, adding that currently the country has already received more
rainfall which caused havoc in some parts resulting in some buildings,
roads and bridges destroyed.

The gathering was also briefed that in Ngamiland, there was a shift as
rainfall started in November while generally rain season starts in
October. The shift was caused by climate change adding that this season, the district experienced more rains in January.

“We have already experienced more rain in January and yet the season is
not ending which means by the end of the season, the rains will be
significant. This year there is a lot of rain coming,” he added.